Here are the key procedural rules for the two GMAT Analytical Writing sections (you can review these rules during the pretest computer tutorial, which immediately precedes the timed essay sections):

• You must use the computer keyboard to enter your essay responses. (Handwritten responses are not permitted.) Keyboard entries are restricted to American English characters.

• The CAT system does not allow you to return to either of the two AWA essays once you've moved on.

• If you've completed either essay before the 30-minute time limit has elapsed, you can proceed immediately to the next section by clicking the EXIT SECTION button at the bottom of the screen.

• The testing system provides a timed break after the second AWA section before moving on to the multiple-choice sections. (At the end of the timed break, the next section begins, whether or not you're ready.)

• No break is provided between the two 30-minute AWA sections.

• Pencils and scratch paper are provided for making notes and outlines.

To respond to the two GMAT essay prompts (sections 1 and 2 of the test), you'll enter text using the keyboard and the CAT word processor. The essay prompt will appear at the top of the screen, and the text you type will appear below the prompt in a separate editing window.

During the Argument-Analysis section, you might need to scroll vertically to view the entire essay prompt, as shown in the simulated screen shot here:

As you examine the simulated screen shot, notice the following:

• The on-screen clock in the upper-left corner indicates that 23 minutes remain in this section. This test taker probably spent 3-5 minutes planning a response and has just begun to type it.

• The NEXT and CONFIRM ANSWER buttons, located at bottom right, are both disabled (because each of the two AWA sections contains only one question).

• A cursor bar, a vertical line, appears in the response area at the point where the test taker is typing at the moment. You can move the cursor around your response by using either the arrow keys on the keyboard or by pointing and clicking with the mouse, just as with any word processor.

• Unless an essay response is very brief (read: too brief), you'll have to scroll vertically to review your entire essay. Notice the scroll bar to the right of the essay.